Istiodactylidae
These medium-sized pterosaurs had small teeth in the front of their jaws. They are known to have been overland hunters and scavengers.
Pterosaurs
7 genera-
OxfordianArchaeoistiodactylus
Paleontologists once thought Archaeoistiodactylus was the earliest known short-tailed pterosaur, but they now think it is a closer relative of the transitional wukongopterids.
Wingspan 75 cm -
BarremianHongshanopterus
Hongshanopterus was one of several pterosaurs that were terrestrial predators in an ancient Chinese forest.
Wingspan 1.9 m -
BarremianIstiodactylus
The original istiodactylid, this large pterosaur might have been an overland scavenger like a vulture.
Wingspan 2.75 m -
BarremianLiaoxipterus
Once thought to be a long-tongued insectivore, Liaoxipterus is now considered a terrestrial carnivore.
Wingspan 1.2 m -
BarremianLongchengpterus
This heron-sized pterosaur may have scavenged dinosaur carcasses in prehistoric China.
Wingspan 2 m -
AptianLuchibang
The only known specimen of Luchibang had a wingspan of about 2 meters, but was a juvenile when it died, and may have grown much larger.
Wingspan 2 m -
AptianNurhachius
An istiodactylid pterosaur from China, Nurhachius shows how far this small family spread during the Early Cretaceous.
Wingspan 2.5 m
